Re: Commission chair Anne Tolley's column in The Weekend Sun June 23, 2023 edition.

There was a piece by Commissioner Tolley's column. Unfortunately there was a deliberate misleading comment in the article which has no substantiated evidence. It was 'The preliminary business case for the stadium indicates it would generate up to $778 million in social and economic benefits during its lifetime”.

I have read the preliminary business case and it does not say this anywhere in the documentation. In fact, it presents a cost/benefit ratio of less than one.

In fairness, seeing TCC is now conducting an Online Community Survey on the Stadium, can you ask where this number can be found, what does it represent and report back to your readers.

The answer is: it is Commissioner Stephen Sellwood quantifying the value of social interaction at all events in the stadium.

He said as much in the council meeting.

Mumbo jumbo!

Maybe also ask what is the value of the negative social and economic benefits are – loss of greenspace, closing of all local area streets during any event, eviction of sports clubs and running track, no school sports days, removal of speedway which is one of the few family evening entertainments in Tauranga, parking congestion, traffic congestion, charge to everyone's rates annually.

Philip Brown, Tauranga City.

Tauranga City Council Chair Anne Tolley responds:

Mr Brown can find the figures he claims don't exist on page 172 of the Community Stadium Preliminary Business Case, but for simplicity's sake they are included in the following table.

This independently researched information is from the Market Economics - Economic impacts Assessment, which forms part of the economic case for the proposed stadium.

For those in the community who wish to consider the community stadium proposal with an open mind, it's worth noting that the preliminary business case is still in planning and further work is underway to better understand its potential benefits and costs and how the proposal would be funded. The preliminary business case predicts the construction and use of the proposed community stadium would bring many social and economic benefits to Tauranga City and if it did proceed, it would be a multi-use venue designed to accommodate the community, clubs, local cultural events, festivals, professional sports and commercial concerts.

No decisions have been made and the Council is currently asking the community about its initial level of support for the proposal, on the understanding that we don't yet have all the information we need. After considering this initial community feedback, as well as further information about the wider economic and social benefits and possible funding options, the commissioners will decide whether to proceed any further, which could see the proposal included in the draft 2024-2034 Long Term Plan community consultation process later this year. Community consultation on the draft 2024-2034 Long Term Plan will take place in November/December, which would provide a further opportunity for everyone to share their views on the proposal, before any decision is made.

If the proposal has community support and a decision is made to proceed based on detailed analysis of the costs, benefits and funding of the stadium, the Council would work with any organisations whose activities at Tauranga Domain would be affected, to ensure that they were not disadvantaged.